Cellist Ben Sollee brings 'a few honest words' to Savannah Stopover

Such concerns have been central to Sollee’s development as a singer/songwriter, particularly his genre-bending sound, which blends elements of folk, jazz and R&B.

“It’s a huge part of the music,” he admits.

When we spoke Feb. 22, Sollee was taking a short break back home between tours, having just played through St. Louis and Chicago and prepping for the launch of his spring concert series, which begins March 7 in Savannah at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, then moves on to Austin’s SXSW.

He describes his latest album, “Half-Made Man,” as “a collection of self-portraits created with a bunch of musicians I truly trust — raw, sincere performances.”

That’s definitely what folks will see when Sollee joins The Last Bison to open this year’s Savannah Stopover Music Festival.

“I’m trying to document who I am right now as a musician and person,” Sollee says, “and how I see myself through different characters.” It’s a snapshot of a moment in his own life he hopes to share with his audiences — and also himself.

“Ten or 15 years down the line, I’m going to be able to look at this and say, ‘That’s who I was.’”

Lately, Sollee has appeared far and wide, including on NPR, PBS and at TEDx. But his most memorable performance may be a guerilla outing to the Lincoln Memorial last November, where he played his song “A Few Honest Words” to a gathering crowd.

“Just a few honest words,” Sollee sings, as curious faces flash in the background. “Just a few honest words / is all I need.”